EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FLa. -- The 58th Fighter Squadron welcomed their new commander during a change of command ceremony, June 18, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
Lt. Col. John Easton assumed command from Lt. Col. David Cochran before the presiding officer, Col. Byron Pompa, 33rd Operations Group commander.
“You should all know that Lt. Col. “Mach'' Cochran leads from the front,” said Pompa. “It is easy to see that you have built an unbelievably strong team with incredible morale and high unit cohesion despite the challenges placed upon you.”
Cochran will continue his service in the Air Force with officer developmental education at the Marine Corps War College in Quantico, Virginia.
Easton, the incoming commander, is a command pilot with over 2,000 flight hours. He has served on multiple combat tours and flown or deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Odyssey Dawn, Inherent Resolve, Freedom’s Sentinel and Resolute Support. Easton previously served as the 58th FS director of operations.
“I recently heard the advice to do what you love and call it work,” said Easton. “There is no doubt that I love what we do together and doing it with you all is really awesome. It's the thing that I love, and I'm lucky we get to call it work. I look forward to the next two years.”
As the commander, Easton is tasked with executing six formal syllabi and ensuring the readiness of 60 combat-ready pilots trained in all aspects of the F-35A Lightning II employment.